JP2000133378A - Electric connector assembly and electric connector used in it - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a small-sized, easy-to-fit electric connector assembly requiring a low inserting/drawout force capable of being locked by fitting obliquely and turning and provide an electric connector to be used in the connector assembly. SOLUTION: An electric connector assembly (1) includes connectors 2 and 300, wherein the connector 2 is composed of a terminal 70 having an abutting part 82, a guide groove 36 inclined to a recess in a fit part 9, and a lock shoulder 38 continued to guide groove (36). The lock shoulder 38 has a slope. The other connector 300 is composed of a probe pin 170 abutting to the part 82 and a protrusive streak 110 guided by the groove 36. The tail of the protrusive streak 110 forms a locking shoulder 110a having a slope corresponding to the slope on the lock shoulder 38. The connector 300 is fitted to the connector 2 aslant so that the protrusive streak 110 is guided by the guide groove 36, and then turned in the direction of Arrow B, and if the finger(s) is put off, the connector 300 is biased upward by the resilient repulsive force of the probe pin 170 so that the lock shoulder 38 is engaged with the locking shoulder 110a to establish locking.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electrical connector assembly and an electrical connector used for the same, and more particularly, to an electrical connector assembly that is inserted and removed many times for testing or inspection, and an electrical connector used for the same. .

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art There are known various types of electrical connection by mating connectors. For example, JP-A-9-2
Japanese Patent No. 51871 discloses two conventional techniques as shown in FIG. The connector assembly 500 shown in FIG. 30A has a cap connector 510 having a male contact 502 and a plug connector 520 having a female contact 504. The cap connector 510 and the plug connector 520 have respective fitting portions 506 and 50
8 are slid in contact with each other and fitted together.
02 is inserted into the female contact 504 and is electrically connected. At the time of mating, a mating force is required for the connectors and the contacts to make sliding contact with each other, but the mating state is maintained by the frictional force between the connectors and the contacts.

A conventional connection device 600 shown in FIG. 30B includes a cap connector 610 having a male contact 602 and a probe unit 620 having a spring-biased probe pin 604. When the probe unit 620 is attached to the cap connector 610,
The probe pin 604 elastically contacts the tip of the male contact 602 and is electrically connected.

[0004]

In the above-mentioned first known technique, a fitting operation is required, and a force for inserting and removing connectors is large, so that a burden on an operator is increased. In particular, when a large number of insertion / removal operations are required, such as in a device test, the problem becomes serious. Further, in the probe unit 620 according to the second known technique, although the insertion / extraction force is small, another holding means for holding the probe unit 620 is required. Therefore, there arises a problem that the connecting device becomes large. If there is no holding means, it is necessary to keep the finger pressed. Further, it is difficult to obtain the wiping action, and the reliability of the electrical connection is reduced.

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and does not require a large insertion / extraction force for insertion / extraction of connectors. The object is to provide an electrical connector to be used.

Further, an electrical connector assembly which is small in size, easy to attach and detach, and does not burden the operator.
And an electrical connector used for the same.

[0007]

According to the present invention, there is provided an electric connector assembly having first and second electric connectors each having a plurality of terminals and fitting with each other at a fitting portion. The plurality of terminals provided on the connector have a contact portion extending in a direction substantially intersecting with the axial direction of each of the plurality of terminals, and the plurality of terminals provided on the second electrical connector include the plurality of terminals. A contact portion that can be elastically biased in the axial direction of each of the terminals.
And the second electrical connector is combined at the fitting portion such that the axes of the plurality of terminals are oriented in an inclined direction, and the two electrical connectors are relatively positioned in a direction in which both the axes coincide. A locking means which can be rotated and locked by the elastic force of the terminal is provided on each of the first and second electrical connectors.

[0008] Preferably, the locking means is provided integrally with a housing of each of the first and second electrical connectors.

Preferably, the locking means provided on the second electrical connector is a metal latch.

[0010] Preferably, the first electrical connector is mounted on a circuit board, and the contact portion is set at a position separated from the circuit board.

Preferably, the first and second electrical connectors have a receiving direction determining means for preventing the fitting portions from being combined with each other when not in the inclined direction.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electric connector including a housing which forms a fitting portion having a plurality of terminals and a concave portion for receiving a mating electric connector. The electrical connector is configured to be received only from a predetermined inclination angle direction, and the plurality of terminals have a contact portion extending in a direction substantially intersecting with the axial direction of the electrical connector, and the corresponding contact portion is provided in the recess. The fitting portion is provided adjacent to the top end of the protruding structure projecting in the height direction, and the fitting portion further includes a locking means for locking the mating electric connector at a position rotated by a predetermined angle from the receiving direction. I do.

[0013] Preferably, a guide means for guiding reception of the mating electrical connector is provided on one wall constituting the recess.

Preferably, the guide means acts to prevent mating when the electrical connectors are axially aligned with one another.

Preferably, the first electrical connector comprises:
It is a board-mounted connector.

Preferably, the cavities provided inside the protruding structure so as to receive the plurality of terminals communicate with each other to form a space extending in the width direction of the protruding structure.

Preferably, the contact portion extends so as to bridge between the opposing protruding walls of the protruding structure, and engages with the opposing protruding walls.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electrical connector comprising a housing including a plurality of terminals and a fitting portion fitted to a mating electrical connector, wherein the plurality of terminals are arranged in an axial direction of the electrical connector. A contact portion that can be elastically biased to the fitting portion, wherein the fitting portion has an enclosing wall formed so as to protrude by a dimension larger than the contact portion and surround the contact portion; Locking means for maintaining a fitted state with the mating electrical connector is provided near both ends of the fitting portion.

The lock engaging portion of the locking means is disposed at a position not to exceed the surrounding wall of the fitting portion.

Preferably, the locking means is a metal latch, and is disposed outside both end walls of the surrounding wall.

Preferably, the plurality of terminals have a board connecting portion or tines, and the abutting portion and the board connecting portion are connected on an inclined direction side for receiving the mating electrical connector.

[0022]

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. 1 to 1
9 shows a first embodiment, FIGS. 20 to 25 show a second embodiment, and FIGS. 26 to 29 show a third embodiment.

FIG. 1 is a front view of a cap connector (first electrical connector) (hereinafter simply referred to as a connector) 2 attached to a substrate (printed board) 11, FIG. 2 is a plan view of the connector 2 of FIG. 3 is a side view of the connector 2 of FIG. 1 as viewed from an arrow A, FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the connector 2 of FIG. 1 taken along line 4-4, and FIG.
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along a line.

First, referring to FIG. 1, the connector 2 has a substantially rectangular insulating housing 4 and an upper fitting portion 9.
An opening 6 for receiving the other probe pin assembly 100 (assembly) (FIG. 6), which will be described later, is formed, and a tine 72 of a terminal 70 projects from the lower portion so as to be fixed to the substrate 11. The side edge 10 on the front side of the opening 6 is lower than the side edge 12 on the rear side.
8 for keying (polarization) when accepting
Are formed so as to be displaced from the center and extend in the fitting direction. A relatively short notch 14 is also provided on the rear side edge 12.
The action of this notch will be described later. A plurality of lightening grooves 16 are formed in the housing 4 from the front surface to the bottom surface in alignment with the terminals 70. On one side of the bottom surface 18 of the housing 4,
A boss 22 for positioning on the substrate is protruded.

Referring now to FIGS. 2-5, the assembly 1
It can be seen that a plurality of terminals 70 are arranged in a row in recess 24 for receiving 00. 4 and 5, the terminal 70 is a tab-shaped terminal formed by punching and bending a metal plate, and has a rectangular base 74,
Tine 72 linearly depending from base 74, and base 7
4 has a curved contact portion 76 extending upward. The contact portion 76 extends upward from the base portion 74 at an angle from the base portion 74.
8, a second portion 80 extending upward substantially parallel to the tine 72;
And a contact portion 82 extending from the second portion 80 so as to cross the axis of the terminal 70 at right angles.

A rib 26 extending upward from the bottom of the recess 24 of the housing 4 in the vicinity of the second portion 80 of the terminal 70 protrudes along the longitudinal direction of the recess 24. Rib 26
Has a partition wall 28 for separating the second portion 80 of the terminal 70 between the terminals 70. Further, the terminal 7 is located from the bottom of the concave portion 24.
A plurality of support ribs 30 are provided so as to correspond to the zero contact portions 82. The support rib 30 has an upward shoulder 32, and the tip of the contact portion 82 is located on the shoulder, and when the contact portion 82 is fitted,
Supports the force received from the other terminal. End wall 3 of opening 6
Guide groove (guide portion) near side edge 10 inside 4, 34 '
36, 36 'are formed. These guide grooves 36, 3
6 'is an end wall 34, as best shown in FIGS.
As it enters the recess 24 from the edges 34a, 34a 'of 34', it is inclined rearward.

Since the guide grooves 36 and 36 'are mirror images, one of the guide grooves 36 will be described below. The guide groove 36 has a recess 3 on the axial side of the connector 2, that is, on the inner side.
1 and a downward locking shoulder on the upper end of this recess (locking portion)
38 are formed. The locking shoulder 38 is inclined so as to approach the edge 34 a of the opening 6 toward the center of the connector 2. Here, as best shown in FIG. 4, a guide surface 40 inclined from the side edge 10 of the opening 6 to the inside of the concave portion 24.
Note that is formed. The lower end of the guide surface 40 is relatively narrow between the lower end of the rib 26 and an abutment surface 42 along the longitudinal direction of the connector 2. The operation of the guide surface 40 and the abutment surface 42 will be described later. The end walls 34, 34 'have locking shoulders 3, as clearly shown in FIG.
A concave groove 46 for forming 8, 38 extends upward from the bottom surface 18 side. The upper end of the concave groove 46 is an opening 48 communicating with the concave portion 24 of the housing 4.

Referring again to FIG. 5, a barb 86 is formed at the upper side of the tine 72 at both side edges 84.
When the terminal 70 is pressed into the housing 4, these barbs 8 are pressed.
6 penetrates into the terminal insertion hole 49 of the housing 4, and the terminal 70 is locked to the housing 4.

Next, a plug connector (second electrical connector) including the assembly 100 (hereinafter simply referred to as a connector) 300 (see FIG. 16) which fits with the cap connector 2.
Will be described. The connector 300 has an assembly 100 shown in FIGS. 6 to 9 and an insulating receptacle housing (hereinafter simply referred to as a housing) 200 shown in FIG. Hereinafter, the assembly 100 shown in FIGS. 6 to 9 will be described. FIG. 6 is a front view of the assembly 100, and FIG.
8 is a side view of the assembly 100 of FIG. 6, and FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 9-9 of FIG. 6, respectively. Referring to FIGS. 6 to 8, the insulating housing 102 of the assembly 100 has a key rib 104 inserted into the notch 8 of the connector 2. The key rib 104
At a position corresponding to the notch 8 of the fitting portion 108, the assembly 10
It is formed to extend in the insertion / extraction direction of 0. Housing 10
A ridge (guided portion) 110 is formed on the second end wall 112 and extends from the fitting surface 114 in the insertion / extraction direction. At the rear end, the ridge 110 has a slope which is inclined away from the fitting surface 114 as approaching the axis of the assembly 100 as clearly shown in FIG. 8, and this slope serves as a locking shoulder (lock portion) 110a. Works.

At both ends of the side wall 116 of the housing 102, a protruding portion 118 protruding so as to extend in the insertion / removal direction, and a protrusion 122 protruding from the protruding portion 118 are formed. The protrusion 112 has a slope 122a, and latches with a latch arm 204 of the housing 200 described later.
The side wall 116 of the assembly 100 has the fitting portion 108 lowered by the step portion 124. Opposite side wall 126
The fitting portion 1 is similarly formed by the step portion 128 as shown in FIG.
08 is low. A projection 132 having an inclined surface 132a is formed on the side wall 126 at substantially the same position in the insertion / extraction direction and substantially at the center in the longitudinal direction of the housing 102. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 9, a recess 134 is formed in the fitting portion 108 of the housing 102, and a recess 138 is also formed on the opposite side of the partition 136.

The partition 136 is provided with a plurality of probe pins (terminals) 170 as clearly shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 9, the probe pin 170 has a cylindrical main body 172 that is press-fitted and fixed to the partition 136, and a pin (contact portion) 174 slidably mounted on the main body 172 by being spring-biased. Pin 174 is the surrounding wall 139
Note that it is surrounded by Pin 17
The tip of 4 is formed in a spherical shape, and a cylindrical connecting portion 176 extends from the main body 172 in the opposite direction of the pin 174.

Next, the cover 400 attached to the connector 300 will be described with reference to FIGS. The cover 400 is composed of two divided insulating cover halves (hereinafter, simply referred to as halves) 400a and 400b.
10 to 12 show the cover half 400a, and FIG.
3 and FIG. 14 show the cover half 400b. FIG.
Shows a front view of the cover half 400a, FIG. 11 shows a bottom view, and FIG. 12 shows a cross-sectional view taken along line 12-12 of FIG. Referring to FIGS. 10 to 12, the half body 400a includes:
A substantially rectangular plug holding portion 402 and the plug holding portion 102
And a strain relief portion 406 extending rearward from the body portion 404.
Having. The plug holding portion 402 has a protruding wall 4 at the center of the front end.
08 and a slot 410 formed on both sides thereof, and has a protruding wall 412 having a low height. The rear part of the protruding wall 408 is a recess 420 that reaches the transverse rib 418 that crosses the plug holding part 402. At both ends of the transverse rib 418, bosses 446 for positioning with the half body 400b are protruded.

The rear of the protruding wall 412 is formed with a recess 422 and a raised shelf 424 connected to the recess 422. The inside of the body part 404 is a recess 426. Outer wall 43 forming recess 426 of body portion 404
At 0, a latch projection 432 is formed. Through the slope 434 of the body part 404, the strain relief part 406
Continue to. The cable 490 continues to the recess 426.
A shallow groove 436 having an arc-shaped cross section leading to FIG. 15 is formed. Two ridges 438 formed in the groove 436
Thus, the cable 490 has a stress relaxation function.
A latch protrusion 442 is formed on an outer wall 440 of the strain relief portion 406. A curved surface 406c is formed at the leading end of the cable 490.

Next, the half 400b will be described. FIG.
3 is a front view of the half body 400b, and FIG. 14 is a bottom view. The half 400b has a substantially similar shape so as to be combined with the half 400a. The plug holding portion 452 has the protruding wall 45 sandwiching the slot 460 like the half 400a.
8, 462. These protruding walls 458, 462 have substantially the same height. Rectangular recesses 470 and 472 are formed at the rear portions of the protruding walls 458 and 462, respectively.
Transverse rib 46 corresponding to transverse rib 418 of half 400a
8 formed at the front portion thereof and having a low transverse rib 4 at the front thereof.
69 are formed. Half body 40 on both sides of body 454
Opening 482b at a position corresponding to latch projection 432
Are formed as a pair.

Grooves 496 are formed on both sides of the transverse rib 468 at positions corresponding to the bosses 446, and are configured to fit with the bosses 446. A protrusion 488 similar to the protrusion 438 is formed inside the strain relief portion 456 that is continuous with the body portion 454. These ridges 438,
488 cooperate to provide stress relief to the cable. A latch arm 492 having an opening 492b at a position corresponding to the latch protrusion 442 is formed in the strain relief portion 456.
Are formed. Strain relief 406, 45
An outward curved surface 456c is formed at the cable lead-out end of No. 6, so that the cable is not damaged when the cable is bent.

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of the electrical connector assembly 1 showing a state in which the connector 2 and the connector 300 with the cover 400 attached thereto are fitted. This will be described below with reference to FIG. The receptacle housing 200 is mounted in the recess 138 of the assembly 100. A receptacle contact (hereinafter referred to as a contact) is provided in the housing 200.
250 are held. The contact 250 is held by the housing 202 by the projection 252 on the bottom of the contact 250 being locked to the tip of the housing lance 202. The contact 250 has a contact portion 25 at the tip.
4 and the contact portion 254 receives the connection portion 176 of the probe pin 170 to make an electrical connection. Further, the connection part 1 of the probe pin 170
An opening 206 for receiving 76 is drilled. Latch arm 204 with fixed end at rear of housing 200
Are located proximate the side wall 116 of the assembly 100 without engagement. Housing 200 and contact 25
Since 0 is a known value, it will not be described in detail here.

Next, a cover 40 is provided at the rear of the connector 300.
0 is attached. That is, the cover halves 400a, 400b
The halves 400a and 400b are combined with each other so that the rear portion of the connector 300 is held by the plug holding portions 422 and 452 of FIG. At this time, the latch projection 4 of the half body 400a is
32, 442 are the latch arms 482 of the half 400b,
492 are engaged with the openings 482b, 492b and are fixed to each other. The projection 132 of the assembly 100 is received in the recess 520 of the half 400b, and the assembly 100 is restricted from moving downward with respect to the cover 400. Assembly 10
The rear end 142 of 0 is close to the lower surface of the transverse rib 468 of 400b, which restricts the assembly 100 from moving upward relative to the cover 400. At the same time, the rear end 210 of the housing 200 is connected to the transverse rib 41 of each half 400a, 400b.
8, 468, which prevent the connector 300 from moving upward with respect to the cover 400.

Further, the transverse rib 469 of the half 400b and the shelf 424 of the half 400a hold down the housing 200 and regulate the lateral movement. The latch arm 204 of the housing 200 is housed in the recess 420 of the half 400a. When the cover 400a is mounted in reverse, the latch arm 204 is not housed in the recess 470 of the cover 400b, so that the erroneous mounting can be known. The fitting between the connector 2 and the connector 300 will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 16 is a sectional view showing an initial state when the connector 300 from which the cover 400 has been removed is attached to the connector 2. FIG. 17 shows the connector 300 of FIG.
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a state in which is turned in the direction of arrow B. FIG.
Is a finger (not shown) holding the connector 300 of FIG.
Is a cross-sectional view of a state in which they are completely separated from each other. First, FIG. 16 will be described. The connector 300 is the key rib 10
4 is inserted obliquely by holding it by hand with the notch 8 of the connector 2 as shown in the figure. At this time, the ridge 110 of the housing 102 is provided with the inclined guide grooves 36, 3
6 ′, and the fitting portion 108 is
Inserted while being guided to. The tip of the connector 300 contacts the abutment surface 42 of the connector 2. At this time, the tip of the connector 300 is positioned by the guide surface 40 and the narrow area formed by the rib 26. The pin 174 of the probe pin 170 moves from the normal position shown by the broken line to the position shown by the solid line pushed inward. At this time, it should be noted that the locking shoulder 110 a of the ridge 110 is separated from the locking shoulder 38.

Next, when the connector 300 is rotated in the direction shown by the arrow B, the connector 300 is rotated about the abutting surface 42, and comes to the position shown in FIG. At this time, the axes of the connector 2 and the connector 300 are aligned. By rotation,
Since the pin 174 moves while being pressed against the contact portion 82 of the terminal 70, oxides and the like of the contact portion 82 are removed by the wiping action, and the electrical connection is made reliably. At this time, the locking shoulder 110a at the rear end of the ridge 110 is
It should be noted that it is located below. Connector 30
Since 0 is still pressed against the connector 2, the locking shoulder 38 and the locking shoulder 110a are not yet engaged.

Next, when the finger is released, as shown in FIG. 18, the connector 300 is pushed upward by the elastic force of the pin 174 which is biased by the spring, and the locking shoulder 110a and the locking shoulder 3 are pushed up.
8 engage. Since the locking shoulder 110a and the locking shoulder 38 are inclined with respect to each other, the locked state is maintained. To release the lock, in FIG. 18, the connector 300 is pressed downward and rotated in the direction of arrow C to release the lock. When the lock is released, the connector 300 becomes the pin 174.
, The engagement can be easily confirmed.

As described above, the fitting and releasing of the connector 2 and the connector 300 can be performed very easily by hand.

FIG. 19 is a sectional view showing a state where the connector 300 is inserted in the reverse direction. When inserted in the opposite direction, the key rib 104 of the connector 300 penetrates into the notch 14 of the connector 2, and the tip of the key rib 104 abuts on the edge 14 a of the notch 14, preventing further fitting of the connector 300. Is done. Thereby, the connector 2 and the connector 300
Erroneous fitting is surely prevented.

FIGS. 20 to 25 are views for explaining an electric connector assembly according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 20 shows first and second electric connectors to be fitted to each other. FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a state in which the second electric connector is prepared in a mating preparation state, in particular, a partly broken view of the second electric connector. FIG.
FIG. 2 is a side view showing a state in which both electrical connectors are ready to be fitted.
2 is a partial sectional view taken along the line CC in FIG.
FIG. 24 is a side view showing a state in which the rotation has been completed and the electrical connection has been completed, and FIG. 24 is a view showing a first electrical connector used in the electrical connector assembly according to the second preferred embodiment;
(A) is a plan view, (b) is a front view, (c) is a side view, (d) is a cross-sectional view, and FIG. 25 is a view showing a latch member used for the second electrical connector. (A) is a plan view,
(B) is a front view.

Referring to FIG. 20, the electrical connector assembly 70
0 is comprised of first and second electrical connectors 730,760. The first electrical connector 730 is connected to the circuit board 1.
000, and terminals 731 of the first electrical connector 730 have tines 732 for connection to the circuit board 1000. As shown in FIGS. 21 and 23, the second electrical connector 76
0 is also received in the inclined direction with respect to the first electrical connector 730 (see the arrow A in FIG. 21), and is then rotated (see the arrow R) to complete the connection. Second electrical connector 7
60 includes a probe pin 761 similar to that shown in the first embodiment, which completes the connection while receiving the effect of wiping by the terminal 731 during rotation. The probe pin 761 is connected to the contact portion 733 (see FIG. 24) of the terminal 731 provided on the first electrical connector 730, which is the same as in the above embodiment.

The point to be noted in the second embodiment is that
Locking means for maintaining the mating of the first and second electrical connectors 730 and 760. In particular, as shown in FIG. 20, the locking means of the second electrical connector 760 is constituted by a metal latch member 800. As shown in FIG. 25, a latch member 800 is composed of a main body 801 manufactured by processing a metal plate, and a shaft member 8 forming a rotation shaft thereof.
02. The main body 801 includes an operation unit 8 for operation.
03, a bearing portion 804 for receiving the shaft member 802, and a lock engaging portion 805 extending to the distal end side. The lock locking portion 805 includes a locking end 806 configured to turn a metal plate into a substantially U-shape and face the opposite end side. The operation unit 803 has a spring 807. When the latch member 800 is assembled as shown in FIG. 20, the spring portion 807 cooperates with a part of the housing to normally urge the operation portion 803 outward,
Therefore, the lock engagement portion 805 is normally urged inward.

As shown in FIG. 20, a pair of latch members 8
00 is a probe pin 761 of the second electrical connector 760
Are provided at the outer peripheral position of the position where they are disposed, and are disposed outside both ends of the surrounding wall 762 that protects them. At this time, the lock engaging portion 805 is placed at a position not exceeding the surrounding wall 762. Accordingly, the lock locking portion 805 is normally attached to the surrounding wall 762.
And between the outer end wall 770 to be protected.

In the mating preparation state shown in FIG. 21, in the mating preparation state, the second electric connector 760 is inclined with respect to the first electric connector 730 mounted upright on the board. Aligned. As described above, the second electrical connector 760 is then connected to the first electrical connector 7.
As in the first embodiment, the device 30 is pushed in while being inclined, as in the first embodiment, and subsequently turned to reach the connection completed state shown in FIG. In the connection completed state, the latch member 800 is engaged with the housing 739 of the first electrical connector 730.

As shown in FIG. 24, the first electrical connector 730 has a plurality of terminals 731 in a housing 739. The terminal 731 has a tine 732 mounted on the circuit board 1000 and a contact portion 733 for connection to the probe pin 761 of the second electrical connector 760. The contact portion 733 extends in a substantially horizontal direction, extends near the tip of the protruding structure 736 protruding into the concave portion 735 of the housing 739 so as to bridge the opposing side walls 737 and 738, and engages with both. The abutment 733 extends downward at the side receiving the second electrical connector 760 at an angle, and is coupled to the tine 732 at the leading end.

What should be noted about the first electrical connector 730 is the configuration of the outer end surface 740 of the housing 739, which can be understood from FIGS. The outer side surface 740 includes a first groove 742 defined by the end surface 741 facing in the inclined direction and a second groove 7 extending in the vertical direction.
43. As understood from FIG. 22, the second groove 743 is formed at a position deeper than the first groove 742.
When the second electrical connector 760 is received with respect to the first electrical connector 730, the lock engagement portion 805 of the latch member 800 is received along the first groove 742. By setting the width of the first groove 742 to be wider than the width of the lock engagement portion 805, it is possible to compensate for a slight displacement during reception. Latch member 80 of second electrical connector 760
When the angle “0” deviates from the position of the first groove 742, the lock engagement portion 805 interferes with a part near the top end of the housing 739 to prevent its reception. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the second electrical connector 760 from being received from the vertical direction in order to ensure reliable wiping during the mating connection. It should also be noted that the end wall 744, including the outer surface 740, has a beveled end 745 to facilitate receiving the second electrical connector 760.

When the received second electrical connector 760 is rotated with respect to the first electrical connector 730, the engagement between the lock engagement portion 805 and the second groove 743 is realized. At this time, the locking end 806 of the lock locking portion 805 is engaged with the shoulder 746 provided on the top side of the second groove 743. When the first and second electrical connectors 730 and 760 are in the connection completed state, the second electrical connector 760 is biased toward the top side by the biasing force of the probe pin 761 (see FIG. 20). The engagement between the locking portion 805 of the member 800 and the shoulder 746 prevents the movement of the first electrical connector 730. Since the width of the second groove 743 is substantially complementary to the width of the lock engagement portion 805 of the latch member 800, the width of the second groove 743 is substantially the same as that of the second electric connector 760 and the first electric connector 730. Does not occur. Therefore, a stable connection state is maintained.

By using the latch member 800,
The fitting and releasing operations can be easily performed, and a reliable connection state can be maintained. Further, since the latch member 800 is engaged when the rotation of the second electric connector 760 with respect to the first electric connector 730 is completed, a sense of lock is generated when the connection operation is completed, so that the operation reliability is guaranteed. Further, since it is possible to visually recognize that the operating portion 803 is in a position close to the housing in the unfitted state, it is possible to easily confirm that the operating portion 803 is in the connected state.

Another noteworthy point in relation to the first electrical connector 730 is that a portion 75
1 has an inclined surface 752 that is inclined so as to enter inside toward the bottom end. The bottom portion of the housing 739 is potted on the circuit board 1000 to protect the connection portion, and is embedded in the circuit board 1000. At this time, there is an advantage that the potting material flows along the inclined surface 752, thereby preventing an air layer from collecting on the bottom surface side of the housing 739.

FIGS. 26 to 29 are views for explaining an electric connector assembly according to a third preferred embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 26 is a view showing first and second electric connectors to be fitted to each other. FIG. 27 is a plan view showing the mating ready state, and FIG.
FIG. 2 is a side view showing a state in which both electrical connectors are ready to be fitted.
8 is a side view showing a state in which the rotation has been completed and the electrical connection has been completed, and FIG. 29 is a view showing a first electrical connector used in the electrical connector assembly according to the second preferred embodiment. (A) is a side view, (b) is a plan view, (c) is a cross-sectional view, and (d) is a front view.

The electrical connector assembly 900 according to the third embodiment is similar to the second embodiment, except that the direction of the mating connection is different. As shown, the second electrical connector 730 is oriented in a direction substantially parallel to the circuit board 1000 when the mating connection is completed. The second electrical connector 760 used in the third embodiment is the same as that according to the second embodiment, and uses the latch member 800 as locking means, and the locked state maintains the connection.

FIG. 29 shows a first electrical connector 930 used in the third embodiment. According to the first electrical connector 930, the housing 931 has a plurality of terminals 932. The first electrical connector 930 is also mounted on the circuit board 1000, and the terminal 932 has a tine 939. The housing 931 forms a fitting portion 934 that faces substantially in the horizontal direction. The fitting portion 934 has a recess 93.
5, and a protruding structure 936 is provided in the concave portion 935. The contact portion 933 serving as a contact portion of the terminal 932 extends so as to bridge and cross the opposing side walls 937 and 938 near the tip of the protruding structure 936 and engage with both. Terminal 93
The second contact portion 933 extends in the horizontal direction from the side receiving the second electrical connector 760 at an angle (that is, the top side), is bent in a substantially orthogonal direction at an intermediate position, and has a tine 939 at the distal end side.
Is combined with

As shown in FIG. 27, the second electric connector 760 is received in the inclined direction (see the arrow A in FIG. 27) with respect to the fitting portion 934 of the first electric connector 930, and thereafter, as shown in FIG. It is pivoted to a position where it is oriented in the horizontal direction (see arrow R), whereby the fitted connection state is completed.
In particular, an effective wiping action is provided during rotation.
The locking operation of the second electrical connector 760 in the receiving and mating connection state is the same as the operation of the latch member 800 in the second embodiment. A first groove 94 for receiving the latch member 800 is formed in both side surfaces 940 of the first electrical connector 930.
1 and a second portion including a shoulder 943 which engages with the lock engagement portion 805 of the latch member 800, and particularly engages with the engagement end 806.
Groove 942 is formed. Second groove 942 includes a shoulder 948 that engages locking end 806 of latch member 800. In the fully connected state, the probe pins 761 provide sufficient biasing force to maintain the second electrical connector 760 in a horizontal direction. It should also be noted that the housing 931 of the first electrical connector 930 includes a beveled end 949 to facilitate initial reception of the second electrical connector 760.

The first electrical connector 930 also has a bottom portion embedded by potting, thereby protecting a portion connected to the circuit board 1000. At this time, in order to allow the potting material to flow smoothly into the bottom side of the housing 940 and prevent an air layer stagnating on the bottom surface of the housing 931, a through hole 952 is formed in the partition wall 951 of the bottom block of the housing 931. It should be noted that the top wall is inclined so as to expand toward both outer sides.

Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and various modifications can be made by those skilled in the art. A connector of a type terminated at the end of the electric wire may be used.

[0060]

According to the electrical connector assembly of the present invention, the plurality of terminals provided on the first electrical connector have a contact portion extending in a direction substantially intersecting the axial direction of each of the plurality of terminals. The plurality of terminals provided on the second electrical connector have contact portions that can be elastically biased in the axial direction of each of the plurality of terminals, and the first and second electrical connectors each have a plurality of terminals. Locking means is provided at the fitting portion such that the axes of the terminals are oriented in the inclined direction, and the two electrical connectors are relatively rotated in a direction in which both axes coincide with each other to be lockable by the elastic force of the terminal. It is characterized in that it is provided for each of the first and second electrical connectors, so it is compact and does not require a large fitting force for inserting and removing the electrical connectors.
An electric connector assembly that can be easily fitted, does not burden a worker, and can realize highly reliable electrical interconnection can be obtained.

Further, according to one of the electric connectors used in the electric connector assembly of the present invention, the fitting portion is configured to receive the mating electric connector only from a predetermined inclination angle direction, and the plurality of terminals are provided. Having a contact portion extending in a direction substantially intersecting with the axial direction of the electrical connector, the contact portions being juxtaposed near a top end of a protruding structure projecting in the height direction into the concave portion,
The fitting portion further includes locking means for locking the mating electric connector at a position rotated by a predetermined angle from the receiving direction, so that a sufficient displacement amount with respect to the terminal of the mating electric connector abutting on the contact portion is provided. Can be provided, and the movement in the inclined direction can be smoothly performed.

Further, according to the other electrical connector used in the electrical connector assembly of the present invention, the plurality of terminals have contact portions which can be elastically biased in the axial direction of the electrical connector, The fitting portion includes a surrounding wall formed to protrude by a dimension larger than the contact portion and surround the contact portion,
Further, in the vicinity of both ends of the fitting portion, a locking means for maintaining a fitted state with the mating electrical connector is provided, so that the contact portion and the locking means are effectively protected, When in the connected state, a stable contact pressure of the terminal can be maintained.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view of a cap connector attached to a substrate.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the cap connector of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the cap connector of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the cap connector of FIG. 1 taken along line 4-4.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the cap connector of FIG. 3 taken along line 5-5.

FIG. 6 is a front view of the probe pin assembly.

FIG. 7 is a bottom view of the probe pin assembly of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a side view of the probe pin assembly of FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken along line 9-9 in FIG. 6;

FIG. 10 is a front view of a half cover.

FIG. 11 is a bottom view of the cover half.

12 is a cross-sectional view of the cover half taken along the line 12-12 in FIG. 10;

FIG. 13 is a front view of another cover half.

FIG. 14 is a bottom view of another cover half.

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the electrical connector and the connector with the cover attached are fitted.

FIG. 16 is a sectional view showing an initial state when the connector 300 from which the cover 400 is removed is attached to the connector 2.

17 is a cross-sectional view showing a state where the connector 300 of FIG. 16 is rotated in the direction of arrow B.

18 is a sectional view showing a state where a finger (not shown) holding the connector 300 of FIG. 17 is released.

FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view showing a state where the connector 300 is inserted in the opposite direction.

FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating an electrical connector assembly according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention, in which first and second mating connectors are fitted.
FIG. 4 is a plan view showing the second electric connector in a mating preparation state, and particularly, a partly broken view of the second electric connector.

FIG. 21 is a side view of FIG. 20, showing a state in which both electric connectors are ready to be fitted;

FIG. 22 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along line CC in FIG. 21;

FIG. 23 is a side view similar to FIG. 21, showing a state in which the rotation has been completed and the electrical connection has been completed.

FIG. 24 is a diagram showing a first electrical connector used in the electrical connector assembly according to the second preferred embodiment, and (a).
Is a plan view, (b) is a front view, (c) is a side view, and (d) is a cross-sectional view.

25A and 25B are diagrams showing a latch member used for the second electrical connector shown in FIG. 20, wherein FIG. 25A is a plan view, and FIG.
Is a front view.

FIG. 26 is a view for explaining an electric connector assembly according to a third preferred embodiment of the present invention, in which first and second mating fittings are provided.
FIG. 4 is a plan view showing the second electric connector in a fitting preparation state.

FIG. 27 is a side view showing a state in which both electric connectors shown in FIG. 27 are ready to be fitted;

FIG. 28 is a side view similar to FIG. 26, showing a state in which the rotation has been completed and the electrical connection has been completed.

FIGS. 29A and 29B are views showing a first electrical connector used in the electrical connector assembly according to the second preferred embodiment; FIG.
Is a side view, (b) is a plan view, (c) is a cross-sectional view, and (d) is a front view.

FIG. 30 shows two types of conventional connectors.
(A) And (b) is each sectional drawing.

[Explanation of symbols]

1, 700, 900 Electrical connector assembly 2, 730, 930 First electrical connector 4, 739, 931 First electrical connector housing 24, 735, 932 Recess 26, 30, 736, 936 Protruding structure 38 Lock shoulder ( Locking means) 70, 731, 932 Terminals of first electric connector 82, 733, 933 Contact part 110a Locking part (locking means) 139, 762 Surrounding wall 170, 761 Terminal (probe pin) 174 of second electric connector Contact part 300, 760 Second electric connector 743, 942 Second groove (locking means) 800 Latch member (locking means)

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page F-term (reference) HH30

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. An electrical connector assembly having a plurality of terminals and having first and second electrical connectors fitted to each other at a fitting portion, wherein the plurality of terminals provided on the first electrical connector. Has a contact portion extending in a direction substantially intersecting with the axial direction of each of the plurality of terminals, wherein the plurality of terminals provided on the second electrical connector are arranged in the axial direction of each of the plurality of terminals. A contact portion that can be elastically biased; wherein the first and second electrical connectors are combined at the fitting portion such that the axes of the plurality of terminals face in the inclined direction. A locking means is provided for each of the first and second electrical connectors, the locking means being capable of relatively rotating the electrical connectors in a direction in which the axes coincide with each other and being lockable by the elastic force of the terminals. Features The electrical connector assembly that. 2. The electrical connector assembly according to claim 1, wherein said locking means provided on said second electrical connector is a metal latch. 3. An electrical connector comprising a housing forming a fitting portion having a plurality of terminals and a concave portion for receiving a mating electric connector, wherein the mating portion is configured to move the mating electric connector in a predetermined inclination angle direction. The plurality of terminals have a contact portion extending in a direction substantially intersecting with the axial direction of the electrical connector, and the contact portion projects into the recess in the height direction. The electrical connector further comprises a locking means for locking the mating electrical connector at a position rotated by a predetermined angle from a receiving direction. 4. An electric connector comprising a housing including a plurality of terminals and a fitting portion to be fitted with a mating electric connector, wherein the plurality of terminals can be elastically biased in an axial direction of the electric connector. The fitting portion has a surrounding wall formed so as to protrude by a larger dimension than the contact portion and surround the contact portion, and further in the vicinity of both side ends of the fitting portion. The electric connector according to claim 1, further comprising a lock means for maintaining a mating state with the mating electric connector.